On 14 and 15 October, the University of Tasmania, including the Launceston Institute, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and the Children's University, took part in the inaugural Little Food Festival held in Civic Square, Launceston.
Originally established in Victoria, the Little Food Festival is Australia's leading food festival for children. The festival was created to help young people and their families better understand where food comes from, how it is produced, and the important role sustainability plays in food systems. Through free, hands-on and AUSLAN-supported experiences, the festival inspires children to think creatively about food, agriculture, waste reduction and caring for our environment. As the academic partner for the event, the Launceston Institute and TIA provided support to participants on the educational messaging of the program.
This year marked the festival's first appearance in Launceston, delivered by the City of Launceston in partnership with the Sandro Foundation. The event brought together community organisations, educators and industry experts to create an engaging learning experience for families across Northern Tasmania.
The University's Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), Children’s University and Sustainability teams hosted three activities, helping hundreds of children and families explore topics including food production, biodiversity, waste reduction and sustainable living.
Claire from the Children's University said the festival's accessibility and community focus were among its greatest strengths.
"The Little Food Festival was such a wonderful collaboration. The attendance was great and families seemed to really enjoy what was on offer. I personally loved that it was a free festival, and on such an important topic. I hope to be involved again in the future."
At the TIA activity, families became "apple food detectives", discovering the science behind food production and the importance of reducing waste.
"We loved connecting with families at the Little Food Festival through our 'Apples Aren't Just Apples' activation," Alison from TIA said. "Visitors stepped into the role of apple food detectives, discovering the important insects that support healthy orchards, learning how different apple varieties are used based on the variety, and exploring clever ways to use apples that are not at their freshest."
The University's sustainability activity introduced families to the role worm farming can play in reducing food waste and improving soil health.
"It was an absolute joy to get kids learning about worm farming and food waste," Lars from the University of Tasmania said. "The community was able to see how a simple worm farm can help to convert organic food waste into a rich product for vegetable growing, and we enjoyed so much seeing the children engaging with the worms and learning about how these essential animals aid in soil health."
Little Food Festival founder, Dr Sandro Demaio, said: “When kids fall in love with the magic of food – how it’s grown, prepared and shared – they grow up ready to care for it, protect it, and champion it. And what we teach kids about good food, the food system and the environment today, creates the building blocks for what their habits will look like in the future.”
The festival provided an opportunity for the University to strengthen its connection with the Northern Tasmanian community while supporting food literacy, environmental awareness and lifelong learning. By offering practical, interactive experiences, the event helped spark conversations about healthier, more sustainable food choices and encouraged a deeper understanding of the journey from paddock to plate.